Sampson AFB Vets Assoc

CEMETERY UPDATE (06/01/08)

The following was supplied by Jeannette Dockstader. Jeannette is the daughter of Jim Dockstader and has taken his place on State Senator Mike Nozzolio's cemetery committee. it was written on May 15, 2008. Thanks Jeannette

Hello All,

Just thought that I would fill you all in on what I have found out about the cemetery. I wrote a letter in April to Chuck Lafler, who is the Chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors. Unfortunately, when he tried to call me, I wasn't home to take his call, and we've been playing answering machine tag since. This was last Friday. Today I called Senator Nozzolio's office and spoke with Joan Grela. She advised me that things are progressing, although slowly, but expects within the next two to three weeks to have the final transfer of land to Seneca Co. Everything is set for ground breaking as soon as this final transfer is completed. So, fingers crossed, we may have a start on the cemetery by early summer. Maybe even something to show during this years Reunion. Wouldn't that be nice?!

Jeannette

As you all are aware, Jim Dockstader passed away on September 10, 2007. Jim was the association's representative on the Veterans Cemetery Committee. As a result of Jim's hard work, along with the rest of the committee, the cemetery will be a reality. New York State Senator, Mike Nozzolio,the sponsor of the cemetery, provided the following:

By DENISE M. CHAMPAGNE. FINGER LAKES TIMES

ROMULUS - The governor's signature is the final approval needed to establish a veteran's cemetery at Sampson State Park. Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R54 of Fayette, who has been a staunch supporter of the proposal, said the legislation was approved by the Senate earlier this month and adopted late Tuesday by the Assembly with the help of Assemblymen Brian Kolb,

R-129 of Canandaigua, a co-sponsor, and Joseph Morale, D132 of Irondequoit, whom Nozzolio thanked for his bipartisan support.

Nozzolio said this morning that the legislation was drafted in conjunction with the Office of General Services and state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, so he expects Gov. Eliot Spitzer will sign it.

"It's been many years of hard work," Nozzolio said. "I'm very pleased that we have this living memorial and are right now on the doorstep of making it happen."

Jim Dockstader, a member of the Sampson Cemetery Advisory Board and Sampson Air Force Base Veterans Association, said thecemetery will create a lot of interest in Central New York, especially in light of the fact that military cemeteries in Bath and Elmira are nearing capacity.

Dockstader said it's also significant for embracing all branches of the service and its proximity to Waterloo, the birthplace of Memorial Day.

" It's going to be a boon to families of servicemen who will pass on and can be buried there," he said. "We're quite excited about this. We've been pushing for this for a long time."Dockstader also stressed the efforts of Stephen Bull, who he said spearheaded the project several years ago.

"Steve is no longer with us, but Steve is the one who really got it going and the rest of us really backed him," he said.

Bull - a former Seneca Falls and Canandaigua resident who died at age 80 last fall - was the one who enlisted Nozzolio's help several years ago. Nozzolio has helped secure more than $500,000 in state funding to create the cemetery as "a final restingplace, for our military heroes.

"The next step will be a property appraisal, after which the land can be transferred from the state to Seneca County.

Kolb called passage of the legislation "a critical step to ensure that our veterans have the opportunity to be buried in a place of honor.

"This site in Seneca County with its historical significance to our country is uniquely and appropriately the right choice for the creation of this cemetery," he said.

The site served as naval training station for morethan 400,000 recruits during World War 11 and was later used as an Air Force Basic training center for more than 300,000 airmen during the Korean War. It is now home to the Sampson Memorial Naval Museum and Air Force Museum.

All honorably discharged veterans, their spouses and dependent children will be eligible for burial at the proposed cemetery. Operating guidelines will be based on federal veteran cemetery standards.

"Throughout our nation's history, veterans have mad tremendous sacrifices in defense of our democracy, Nozzolio said.

"The Sampson site is a place o hallowed ground where [more than 700,00 Americans were trained to defend and preserve our freedom. "

The following is a follow-up on the Finger Lake Times article and was received by Chip Phillips on August 18, 2007.

THE SENATE STATE OF NEW YORK

SENATOR MICHAEL F. NOZZOLIO 54TH DISTRICT

Chip Phillips

Post Office Box 331

Williamsville, New York 14231

Dear Chip:

After many years of fighting to establish Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery - I am very pleased to advise you that the battle has been won!. Last month, the Governor signed the legislation that I drafted, sponsored and enacted to establish the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery at the former Sampson Naval and Air Force Base in Seneca County.

The bill, which I sponsored with Assemblymen Joe Morelle and Brian Kolb, will designate a portion of the Sampson Base for use as the Sampson Veterans Memorial, Cemetery

Enclosed for your review is a copy of my recent statement on this important announcement.

America's veterans are our true heroes and this cemetery will be a lasting tribute and place of honor for our veterans where their service to our Country can be appropriately recognized. This is a major victory for New York's veterans and you can be assured that I will do all possible to continue our efforts to establish this appropriate memorial to our veterans who have served Country with honor and dignity.

As always, thank you for your service.

With best wishes.

Sincerely, Michael F. Nozzolio Senator, 54th District

P.S. For further information on my efforts to establish the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery, please visit my web site at: www.senatornozzolio.com

NEWS RELEASE FROM SENATOR
MICHAEL F. NOZZOLIO
JULY 25, 2008

SAMPSON VETERANS CEMETERY TO BECOME REALITY STATE LAND TRANSFERRED TO SENECA COUNTY Major Milestone Reached in Efforts to Create Vets Cemetery

Waterloo, New York - State Senator Michael Nozzolio joined state and county officials today for the official transfer of land in Sampson State Park from the State of New York to Seneca County. The 162-acre plot of land in the Park will be the site of the new Sampson Veterans Cemetery.

The transfer of land to Seneca County was the last remaining hurdle to be cleared before the site can be readied for use as the Sampson Veterans Cemetery. The creation of the veteran's cemetery at Sampson State Park has been a priority of Senator Nozzolio and area veterans for many years.

"This is the critical last step to creating a first-class cemetery for our areas' veterans right here in Seneca County," said Senator Nozzolio. "This day has been many years in the making and I want to thank all of the veterans who worked with me to ensure that the Sampson Veterans Cemetery would become a reality. This cemetery will be a lasting tribute to the brave veterans that gave so much for our country."

Due to intricate state laws concerning the transfer of state lands, Senator Nozzolio was required to sponsor legislation that was enacted into State law and consult with attorneys from the State Office of General Services before the land transfer could proceed. The legislation sponsored by Senator Nozzolio authorizing the land transfer was enacted into law last July.

The Seneca County Board of Supervisors has approved the transfer of the state land to the county and, with the transfer of the deed, the legislative process needed to locate the Sampson Veterans Cemetery is now complete.

Chuck Lafler, Chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors, said, "We are very proud to have this new Veterans Cemetery in Seneca County. We will serve as dedicated stewards to ensure the new cemetery is maintained in a way that honors the proud service of New York's veterans. We are grateful to Senator Nozzolio for his support of Seneca County and thank him for his efforts on establishing the Sampson Veterans Cemetery."

Carmen Pascarella of the Veterans Advisory Board said, "After many years of hard work with Senator Nozzolio, I am extremely pleased that we will now have a veterans cemetery in our region that everyone can be proud of. All of our efforts have finally come to fruition."

Senator Nozzolio has secured $500,000 in state funding for the creation of the Sampson Veterans Cemetery, which will be operated by a not-for-profit organization to be determined.

The site of the proposed cemetery, the Sampson United States Naval and Air Force Base, served as a naval training station during World War II and was later used as an Air Force Basic Training Center. Constructed in 1942, Sampson trained over 400,000 naval recruits during its years of operation. Sailors trained at Sampson fought and participated in every major battle of World War II. During the Korean War the property was converted to the Sampson Air Force Base and over 300,000 airmen received their basic training there from 1950 until 1956. The Sampson Memorial Naval Museum and Air Force Museum are currently located at the site.

All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses will be eligible for burial at the Sampson Veterans Cemetery. The guidelines for the cemetery will be based on federal veteran cemetery standards. This will include opening and closing of the graves, perpetual upkeep and maintenance, government headstone or marker, burial flag and presidential certificate. Visit Senator Nozzolio�s Web site at: www.senatornozzolio.com